Neuro Connections

A mnemonic is a memory strategy that helps you remember information by turning it into something easier to recall.

Instead of trying to remember several pieces of information, a mnemonic creates a simple cue that helps trigger the information for retrieval.

Examples:

BE FAST - signs of stroke
HOMES - the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior)
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (EGBDR) - notes on the lines of the treble clef in music

Rhymes can also act as mnemonics.

“Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November..”

Oh, and if you’re in the healthcare or medical field, the inappropriate mnemonic for the 12 cranial nerves? Yep, that’s what I remember.

Mnemonics can also be useful in everyday life.

For example:
- creating a short phrase to remember letters or numbers on your license plate
- use an acronym or cue to remember all the things you need before leaving the house
- turning a list into a word or phrase to make it easier to remember

Mnemonics tend to work best for information you need to remember over a long period of time, like concepts, steps, personal information.

For something like a grocery list that changes every week, it’s usually easier to write the list down.

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Note-taking is FAR from a simple strategy of just “writing things down.”

When someone is speaking, our brain is trying to do several things at once:
- pay attention and listen to the information
- process what it means
- decide what is important
- write it down quickly enough to keep up

Because of this, we might miss important details or end up writing everything word for word.

More effective note-taking focuses on extracting key ideas, instead of capturing every sentence.

That way it’s easier to review information and act on it later.

Another important consideration is that the way we take notes may be different depending on the context.

A meeting, a lecture and a medical appointment may all require slightly different approaches.
Some may include:
- bullet points
- have a section for questions or action items
- highlighting or underlining key information
- use a structured format like the Cornell Method

We also need to think about WHERE are we taking notes (e.g. notebook, phone, computer) - and do we need to review them or can we find them when we need them?

Effective note-taking is not just about writing things down.

It’s about identifying and organizing the important information and returning to it when we need it.

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✨ Can we please normalize sharing communication strategies with providers? ✨

💬 Here’s the thing: Communication isn’t always easy—especially during healthcare appointments where emotions run high, time feels limited, and the outcomes matter deeply. For individuals with cognitive or communication challenges, these situations can be even more overwhelming.

Should it all be on the patient to advocate? No!

Healthcare providers should be aware of how to support communication in general, especially for those with cognitive or communication difficulties. They have a responsibility to create an environment where all patients feel heard and understood.

However, providers may not know how to support certain unique needs. Sharing strategies like asking them to slow down, write things down, or give extra processing time not only helps the individual but also educates providers on how to better support communication for everyone. 🧠💡

🌟 Why it’s worth it:

✔️It encourages providers to proactively support effective communication.
✔️It helps tailor interactions to meet unique client needs.
✔️It promotes better health outcomes through improved understanding.

🌈 Let’s work together to shift the narrative from “I don’t want to be a bother” to “We all deserve clear, supportive communication.”How do you encourage communication-friendly practices in healthcare settings? Drop your thoughts below! 👇

Need more support? Check out our Communication in Healthcare Appointments resource on our website.